First Level Archives - Dressage Today https://dressagetoday.com/category/instruction/first-level/ Dressage Today is the training and educational resource for dressage riders at every level. Videos and instructional articles offer tips. Tue, 12 May 2026 17:53:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://s3.amazonaws.com/wp-s3-dressagetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/09180459/DT-Favicon-150x150.png First Level Archives - Dressage Today https://dressagetoday.com/category/instruction/first-level/ 32 32 Ask the L: Are My Horse and I Ready for First Level? https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/first-level/ask-the-l-are-my-horse-and-i-ready-for-first-level/ Tue, 12 May 2026 17:52:58 +0000 https://dressagetoday.com/?p=20232 In this Ask the L, dressage trainer and judge Aviva Nebesky helps a Training Level rider determine if she and her horse are prepared to successfully move up to First Level.

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]]> The Unwritten Rules of Dressage Test Riding https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/how-to/unwritten-rules-dressage-test-riding-janet-foy/ Fri, 08 May 2026 20:11:08 +0000 http://ci020277a080062586 Do you understand the tacit "rules" of riding a dressage test—the ones that aren't in the rule book? FEI and USEF judge Janet Foy offers her insights on the unwritten tenets of test riding to help you maximize your scores.

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]]> The Golden Rules of the Dressage Warm-Up Arena https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/how-to/the-golden-rules-of-the-dressage-warm-up-arena-29955/ Tue, 05 May 2026 17:22:33 +0000 http://ci0202779c80032586 Four top dressage instructors offer their tips and insights on the rules and etiquette of the dressage warm-up arena to help you stay sane amid the pre-test chaos.

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]]> Tips for Training Through Third Level From Hilda Gurney https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/tips-for-training-through-third-level-from-hilda-gurney/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:45:13 +0000 https://dressagetoday.com/?p=20084 Learn lessons from a judge's perspective as Hilda Gurney shares her tips for Training through Third Level.

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]]> Ask the L: Should I Rise or Sit the Trot for Training and First Level? https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/first-level/ask-the-l-should-i-rise-or-sit-the-trot-for-training-and-first-level/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:07:56 +0000 https://dtmembership.wpenginepowered.com/news/ask-the-l-should-i-rise-or-sit-the-trot-for-training-and-first-level/ In this Ask the L, dressage judge and trainer Aviva Nebesky answers a reader question about whether she should rise or sit the trot for Training and First Level tests—and whether she'll get a higher score for sitting.

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]]> Work Without Stirrups to Quiet Your Hands and Develop a Secure Seat https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/work-without-stirrups-to-quiet-your-hands-and-develop-a-secure-seat/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 23:39:56 +0000 https://dtmembership.wpenginepowered.com/news/work-without-stirrups-to-quiet-your-hands-and-develop-a-secure-seat/ FEI judge Axel Steiner helps a rider move up from First to Second Level by challenging her to ride without stirrups to refine her position, better use her leg aids and activate her core.

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]]> Work Less to Get More Out of Your Dressage Horse https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/work-less-to-get-more-out-of-your-dressage-horse/ Thu, 28 Aug 2025 23:01:00 +0000 https://dtmembership.wpenginepowered.com/news/work-less-to-get-more-out-of-your-dressage-horse/ Grand Prix dressage trainer Jackie Kinney helps a rider teach her horse how to be more responsive to her aids by using positive body language and focusing on rhythm and relaxation.

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]]> Adult Amateurs: Biomechanics To Correct Your Leg and Seat Position https://dressagetoday.com/plus/adult-amateurs-biomechanics-to-correct-your-leg-and-seat-position/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:43:06 +0000 https://dressagetoday.com/?p=18255 In Part 2 of this series on rider biomechanics, Stephany Fish Crossman stresses "knees to the ground" and "carousel pole" to help an adult amateur find the proper leg and seat position to fine-tune her aids and better move with her horse.

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]]> Adult Amateurs: Use Biomechanics to Improve Balance and Communication https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/adult-amateurs-use-biomechanics-to-improve-balance-and-communication/ Fri, 13 Jun 2025 21:44:12 +0000 https://dressagetoday.com/?p=18170 Stephany Fish Crossman evaluates an adult amateur to explain how rider biomechanics are key to a successful partnership with your dressage horse.

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]]> How to Correctly Ride a Change of Lead Through Trot https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/how-to-correctly-ride-change-of-lead-through-trot/ Fri, 08 Nov 2019 19:07:55 +0000 http://ci0202779f60032693 Learn the steps to ride this movement that appears in First Level Test 3.

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